Defence ties on the line, says Admiral

Press, 20 February 1986, Page 4

Defence ties on the line, says Admiral

By

MARTIN FREETH

in Wellington Britain’s Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Fieldhouse, made it clear yesterday that defence ties between Britain and New Zealand are on the line over the nuclear-ship ban.

Admiral Fieldhouse conveyed the British Government’s firm opposition to the ban in talks with the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, and other Government leaders on Tuesday.

At a press conference yesterday, he indicated that anti-nuclear legislation now before Parliament could lead to the cutting of training, equipment procurement, and Intelligence links with Britain.

“It is going to make a very considerable difference in our normal relations,” he said. The ban already precludes visits by many British warships unless Britain breaches the same neither-confirm-nor-deny nuclear weapons policy to which the United States adheres. Admiral Fieldhouse said he had not presented Mr Lange with a request for a port visit by ships of the Royal Navy task force which will visit the Pacific this year. No such request would be made under the present policy. “I have represented the United Kingdom’s view and emphasised the wider implications if the antinuclear legislation as proposed in its present form becomes law. I believe the British position is now firmly understood,” he said.

“I believe it would be a very sad thing for both our countries if the very long tradition of Royal Navy visits, co-operation in all forms of exercises, training and equipment procurement should be at an end. However, I am hopeful that a way can still be found to avoid reaching such an impasse.”

Admiral Fieldhouse said his hope was based on the “interested and courteous” hearing he had received from Mr Lange. He said he had left "suggestions” and expected replies “in the normal course of business” between New Zealand and Britain.

“We made all sorts of proposals as you would expect in the circumstances.” The anti-nuclear ban was bound to affect the interests of Britain which was in "total agreement” with the United States on the role of nuclear deference in defence of the Western world, he said.

Britain had not been pressured by the United States to oppose the New Zealand policy and opposition to it was simply a matter of “clear common interest” between the two Powers, Admiral Fieldhouse said.

In reply to reporters’ questions, he said the legislation would appear to prevent forms of cooperation other than Royal Navy ship visits.

It was not a matter of Britain’s withdrawing but of the terms of legislation cutting across, preventing New Zealand service personnel participating in a range of defence ties.

“If you look at the bill as tabled on November 10, I think at clause five dr six you will see it would make it impossible in effect for New Zealand servicemen to participate in activities with certain nuclear-bearing Powers ... you have to read your own legislation,” Admiral Fieldhouse said. (Clause five of the bill prohibits any New Zealand citizen or servant of the Crown having control over any nuclear weapon or assisting anyone else to acquire, possess, or have control over nuclear weapons outside New Zealand.)

“Quite clearly, in that we neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons, the legislation clearly removes New Zealand servants from their particular aspects of business. It is going to make a very considerable difference to our normal relations,” Admiral Fieldhouse said.

The legislation would not prevent Britain from doing “what it has normally done” but it would inhibit New Zealand servicemen “from carrying on the normal, traditional pattern of activity.”

The New Zealand policy would weaken the united opposition to communism, which opposition was represented by the “loosely federated Western family of nations,” Admiral Fieldhouse said.

New Zealand was fortunate to be in a peaceful part of the world, he said.

“I am delighted with that, but just as no man is an island, no country can be isolated from the rest

of the world.” Admiral Fieldhouse pointed to Soviet comments as one impact already of the anti-nuclear legislation. “You have only got to read the Pravda reports which clearly show the Soviet view is that this will be to their advantage.”

The security of SouthEast Asia was important to Britain. A Soviet buildup in Vietnam and political instability in the Philippines were threats.

Admiral Fieldhouse said Britain was not stepping up its military presence in the Pacific, in view of the Global ’B6 task force which will visit the region this year. "Against the background that our primary military alliance is N.A.T.0., we act responsibly in the rest of the .world and are concerned about our interests, including trade.” This year’s task force had the widest purpose of “showing the flag,” and would also take the opportunity to exercise with the United States in the Rimpac series. “The Royal Navy, as it showed in 1982, continues to be a world-wide capable force, and if that is to be maintained we must exercise our people in world-wide conditions.”

Ships from Global ’B6 would have visited New Zealand ports had it not been for the anti-nuclear policy.

“When it is clear the answer will not be ‘no,’ then I have little doubt we shall be asking for a ship visit,” Admiral Fieldhouse said.